Who has been helped?

The Sharing Center Success Story
Spotlight on: Megan

“A year ago, I was homeless, living in a tent in the woods and addicted to drugs. My friends at the time would tell me about The Sharing Center. They said it was a place in Longwood that helped the homeless. They said that I could go there to shower, get a new set of clothes, food, and even do laundry. It sounded a little too good to be true. Little did I know, this would be the same place that would change my life forever.

“Raymond Luther, a volunteer at The Sharing Center would bring me food every Friday, he told me about a housing program they offered. I filled out the application the following week. The process was so smooth, and any documents I didn’t have, The Sharing Center helped me get. They worked with me until I had everything together. Every night, I would dream of getting a place.

“Within a few weeks, I met one on one with a case manager. She looked at me and said ‘What if I told you, you’re not homeless anymore?’ It felt like a dream. The team set me up in a hotel the same week. They kept me off the streets, safe, with a roof over my head. They gave me hope, believed in me, and kept me safe, expecting nothing in return. Just knowing there were people who still believed in me, lit a fire in my soul. I can finally understand the saying, ‘You can move mountains with faith the size of a mustard seed.’

“Today, I am five months clean, I am a Pharmacy Tech Intern, becoming dual certified in Pharmacy, cleared my license, and am taking the steps needed to start visitation with my daughter. I work 10 hour days and finally come home to my ‘own home’. I am forever grateful for The Sharing Center, and its guidance to help lead me back to stability.”

HCCH Success Story
Spotlight on: John*

John is 56 years old and grew up in the Chicago area. He eventually married and started a family and had one child. After he and his wife divorced in the early 2000s, he relocated to Central Florida to work for Lynx transportation systems where he was employed from 2005-2012.

By 2012 his health had begun to decline due to various chronic ailments, resulting in a reduction of his hours. He then began working part-time as a chef to supplement his income. He was able to maintain for a period of time, until he had his first heart attack about 5 years ago.

After the heart attack he was discharged to a residential rehab facility where he became more dependent on assisted care. He remained in assistive living for 3 years, trying to figure out how to get back on his own.

Eventually he left the security of the care facility and began living on the streets in Central Florida. After several months, he sought shelter at the Salvation Army (short term program) and eventually found his way to the Orlando Union Rescue Mission. He states that his stay at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission was the “best thing that could have happened for him.” Eventually his application for disability benefits was approved and he was referred to HCCH for Permanent Supportive Housing. With the financial assistance of the program and the support of Case Management, he has attained a level of independence he had been seeking. He remains closely involved with the Rescue Mission and volunteers often for special events.

He is proud to share that he has always maintained a positive relationship with his (now adult) son despite the divorce, health issues, and episodes of homelessness.

Hope Partnership Success Story
Spotlight on: Billy*

Recently, Hope Partnership housed a long-time client named Billy. His story began ten years ago when, while working as a chef, he suffered a traumatic injury that left him unable to work. Unemployment led to eviction and homelessness. He didn't have a support system and ended up living in the woods.

When Hope Partnership connected with him years later, they got to work. They helped him with some basic needs such as food, clothing, and most importantly, confidence. After acquiring his identification through Idignity Osceola, the barriers to housing began to break down, and he was ready to take the next steps.

When the time for housing finally arrived, he went with his Hope Partnership caseworker Jacob, who was with him at every step. They got the lease signed, and Billy was so excited. He expressed how much he loved having a balcony to spend time on and also how grateful he was for all of the help Hope Partnership continues to provide him.

SALT Success Story
Spotlight on: Christina *

We first met Christina in September of 2020. For about 8 months she visited SALT for showers, clothing, and hygiene supplies. Our team got to know her over that time, learned about her story, and engaged in conversations with her when she would come visit. They truly built a relationship with Christina.

We started our case management program in January of 2021 and when we would see Christina we would invite her occasionally to meet with our case workers. After about 8 months of receiving services, Christina decided she wanted to make a change in her life.

Christina admitted to our case management team she had a drug addiction that she wanted to overcome. Our case management team started to reach out to the detox facilities they were familiar with. Getting into a detox facility often takes time and it’s easy for people to feel discouraged. Our team was intentional about encouraging Christina and invited her to meet with our Outreach pastor to build her resolve to fight her addiction during her wait. She did relapse a few times but this did not lessen her determination for change. After about a week she met with her case manager for a follow up. Christina was notified that a detox facility was found for her.

Our case manager and Outreach pastor drove her to the detox facility where she was enrolled for a two week program. At the end of the two weeks she wanted to see her family. We took her to see her family because she wanted to show them she was making a concentrated effort to overcome her addiction. Our case management team found a sober house where Christina was able to go to next to continue her recovery. In this sober house they gave her a job, lodging, and we are happy to report that she has conquered her addiction.

Christian Service Center Success Story
Spotlight on: The Boone Family

After 25 years of marriage, Neida Caro-Boone and her husband have raised two wonderful children who are now college-aged. Neida has a physical disability, receives disability assistance, and her husband and son work full-time. Unfortunately, like many Central Floridians, they live paycheck-to-paycheck. Their daughter Reina, a 2021 Jones High School graduate, is on full academic scholarship to UCF. While Reina’s tuition is covered, other expenses ate up the Boone family’s savings and they fell behind on their rent. Living with family and no formal lease, they were one day unexpectedly kicked out of their living arrangements.

The Boones confronted the scary reality they had feared for years: homelessness. They didn’t even have enough money to pay for a hotel for the night. Reina was one month away from moving into her on-campus dorm. On Sunday evening of Independence Day weekend 2021, their car packed up and the four family members together, they began calling everyone they knew for help.

Suddenly not knowing what would happen next caused intense stress for Neida and her family. Among those they reached out to was the Elevation Scholars program that had helped Reina obtain her academic scholarship with UCF. The Elevation staff connected them to the Christian Service Center (CSC) Executive Director. Our Executive Director spoke to Reina directly, found and paid for a hotel for the week and asked her family to come in for an appointment to speak with a case manager at the Christian Service Center Parramore campus.

Victoria, a CSC rapid rehousing case manager, took the next weeks to identify a more affordable apartment for the Boones. Utilizing available funding, CSC was able to cover the security deposit and move-in costs required to get the Boones into a new home. Neida and her family were grateful for the help accessing an affordable home and for the support during a very scary evening when any positive outcome was in doubt. Mr. Boone continues to work so the family can pay their new rent going forward, and our case manager has connected the family to referrals for other services as well. Reina is in her second semester and continuing her education at UCF to become a nurse, very thankful that she does not have to worry about where her parents are going to sleep at night.

Samaritan Resource Center Success Story
Spotlight on: Rachel *

In September 2019, Rachel became part of the Samaritan Resource Center (SRC) family. Rachel was struggling with many issues: After her boyfriend emptied her apartment, she fell into a depression and was fired from her job. Using her savings to stay in motels, she eventually found employment as a cafeteria worker at Orange County Public Schools. However, her motel costs prevented her from saving money for rent, application fees and deposits. In March 2020 the schools were closed, she applied for unemployment – but benefits were delayed and she was forced to sleep in her car.

Her health began deteriorating. SRC referred her for medical care with a partner agency and she was diagnosed with severe back injury, high blood pressure, and arthritis. As a result, she was referred for Social Security Disability. She also began seeing SRC's mental health counselor, which helped her rebuild coping skills and process past trauma including abusive relationships.

Rachel entered the Rapid Rehousing Program and was provided bridge housing in a hotel. She began receiving unemployment and was able to pay her bills. Thanks to the efforts of the Housing Locator Team and her case manager, she was referred to an apartment complex in Altamonte Springs. She moved into the apartment and has made it into a cozy home.

Additionally, Samaritan Resource Center’s Employment Specialist helped Rachel complete her resume, fill out applications and complete job searches. Rachel is now employed as a cashier at Home Depot. She likes her job and has inquired about what skills are necessary to move to a higher position.

She still stops in to visit or when she has a question or concern. As with many of the clients they serve, SRC and the team have become her family.

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.